Tax collector seeks sixth term

By
Melissa Crowe
May 7, 2012 at 12:07 a.m.Updated May 8, 2012 at 12:08 a.m.

• Name: Rena Scherer

• Age: 56

• Occupation: Victoria County Tax Assessor -Collector

• Email: vscherer@ vctx.org

Editor's note: The Advocate is profiling candidates in the May 29 primary election. This profile features candidates for the Democratic Party nomination for Victoria County Tax Assessor/Collector. The winner will face Republican Donna Rodriguez in the November general election.

Victoria County Tax Assessor-Collector Rena Scherer has spent the past 31 years as a county employee and isn't ready to hang up her hat.

She is running for a sixth term in office against Jane Bernal, assistant chief clerk in the justice of the peace Precinct 1 office.

Scherer first came into office in 1993.

"I'm honored that I have been serving the citizens of Victoria as tax assessor-collector," she said. "I want to continue to work with the citizens."

Scherer said she has the knowledge, experience and relationships with taxing entities to get the job done.

"I'm not ready for retirement," she said. "I go term-by-term."

Scherer said since she came on board, budget cuts significantly reduced her staff to 14 from 20. However, new technology and electronics helped streamline the work.

"As people retire, I don't replace them," she said. "The need is not there because of advanced technology."

She said she is proud to have brought in online services including vehicle registration and property tax payments.

The county tax office works with 14 taxing entities to calculate the effective tax rates, rollback tax rate and levees.

The assessor-collector also handles vehicle registration and licensing, and works closely with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the appraisal district and the delinquent tax attorney firms.

"If re-elected, I will always continue to try to do better things for the tax office and the citizens," Scherer said. "I'll continue to work for the citizens to keep them informed about possible tax savings."

She said she wants to see a drive-thru window installed.

"I have the experience and knowledge to keep going forward," she said.